The economic situation in Bulgaria in recent 7-8 years characterized by sustained growth (3,5-3,8%), and the financial system is stable. FROM 1990 g. at present, this small Balkan country gained 24 billion euros of foreign exchange reserves. At the same time the external debt of it, in the past the country bankrupt, It is in the top three EU countries, with the best ratio of GDP. Sam's GDP exceeded 50 billion. euro.
Government, investing in basic infrastructure, It left the army for many years without proper funding. Bulgarian armed forces, except for a few occasional acquisitions, We have not received new equipment. As recently stated Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov, still "80% of military equipment in Bulgaria, the former Soviet-made". It has long been outdated.
Bulgaria occupies a strategic position in the Balkans. In view of the international situation in the relevant Bulgarian ministries for several years now are discussions and debates about the need to upgrade military equipment. There were several scandals, involving allegations of corruption and lobbying officials in favor of one or the other foreign companies. The accumulated financial resources already allow the government to get down to business.
In this regard, the Bulgarian government proposes the deputies of the National Assembly to adopt the draft investment spending "Buying main battle equipment to create a combat battalion groups from the mechanized brigade," and actualize the project "Purchase of a new type of combat aircraft", which are part of the concept of modernization of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.
The project is planned to purchase military equipment acquisition for the Army 150 units of military and special equipment for three battalion combat teams, systems and additional equipment, as well as personnel training. cost of the project 732 million. Euro will be implemented over 12 years.
The project purchases a new type of combat aircraft is planned to purchase 16 aircraft in two stages. In the first to buy 8 aircraft stands 900 million. euro. This sum is allocated for the purchase of aircraft, ground support, funds for training personnel, original integrated logistics support and weapons.
In this case, the plans indicated, that most of these costs must be reinvested in the Bulgarian economy. Bulgarian companies should be involved in the assembly of equipment and acquisition of appropriate licenses for the production of, and in the implementation of their innovations and development.
Need to say, that in recent years the Bulgarian defense industry has updated its production, technological and personnel base, which creates in his belief in the possibilities of implementation of the forthcoming orders.
